Governor Doug Ducey on Thursday spoke out against the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate, pledging to “continue fighting.”
The mandate will force companies with 100 or more employees to mandate the coronavirus vaccine or weekly testing for unvaccinated individuals.
“We stood up nationally-recognized vaccination sites all around the state, we prioritized frontline workers and vulnerable individuals, and we are among the best states in the nation for getting the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable communities. We have and will continue to encourage all Arizonans to get the shot, which has been granted full approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but it isn’t mandatory and shouldn’t be,” said Governor Ducey.
Recently, the federal government released the specifics of the measure. The rule, implemented through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, will give companies until January 4th to integrate the changes.
“This is a direct attack on not just personal liberty but also the very businesses—large and small—that keep our state, country and economy running. After the difficulties that COVID-19 has posed for individuals, businesses and the current workforce shortages, the administration should be assisting with getting them back on their feet rather than imposing more regulatory burdens,” Ducey continued.
If a company does not comply, it may be forced to pay thousands in fines.
“The lack of a public process in the issuing of these regulations is not that different from taxation without representation. We will continue fighting this to protect the voices of Arizonans and protect the ICA’s long-standing public input process. The Biden administration may be afraid to hear from the people on this issue, but we in Arizona value and respect the opportunity to hear from the public,” Ducey added.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is challenging the measure in a lawsuit. A swarm of other states have pledged to attempt to stop the regulation.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Doug Ducey” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
